2009 Invitation to Charities Information Sessions

This year's Charities Information Sessions are primarily aimed at helping small and rural charities understand the changes brought to the filing requirements. Even though the focus is to ensure that small and rural charities are well-prepared to fill out the new Registered Charity Information Return (T3010B), there is no doubt that all charities should attend as everyone will benefit from this session. Registration for the sessions is only available through our Web site. If you are on our Electronic Mailing List, we will notify you by email when registration will be available in your province.

Note that you cannot register for the information sessions by fax or by mail. If you are having difficulty registering, call us at 1-800-267-2384, and a charities officer will be pleased to assist you.

Charities Information Sessions

These sessions are offered to all registered charities. They are an excellent opportunity for your treasurer, new board members, or volunteers to learn about your charity's legal obligations. The following topics will be covered during the 2009 sessions:

• Overview of the Charities Directorate and the Voluntary Sector;
• The Registered Charity Information Return: Introducing the new T3010B (09);
• Fundraising;
• Gifting and Receipting; and
• Provincial presentations (in some cities).

Spring sessions – You can register for the spring sessions beginning April 8, 2009

• In May 2009, we will be visiting Pembroke, Kanata, Ottawa, Gatineau, Smiths Falls, Timmins, Burlington, Sudbury, Niagara Falls, North Bay, Welland, London, Trenton, Chatham, Kingston, Windsor, Peterborough, Brampton, Toronto, Barrie, Newmarket, Port Hope, and Kitchener.
• In June 2009, we will be visiting Abbotsford, Vancouver, Victoria, Fort St. John, Kelowna, Yellowknife, and Whitehorse.

Fall sessions – You can register for the fall sessions beginning August 10, 2009

• In September 2009, we will be visiting Gaspe, Rimouski, Quebec, Joliette, Shawinigan, Montréal, Saint John, Fredericton, Bathurst, Moncton, Charlottetown, Yarmouth, and Halifax.
• In October 2009, we will be visiting Stephenville, Medicine Hat, St. John's, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Winnipeg, Dauphin, and Thompson.

Special Charities Information Sessions

If your charity is holding an annual meeting, a conference, a training session, a special meeting, etc., while we are in your area and you would like us to present a Charities Information Session, please contact us via email at Information.Sessions@cra-arc.gc.ca. Our ability to attend will depend on the number of attendees (a minimum of 40), length of time provided for our presentation, and costs. We cannot approve requests for special sessions that do not allow for a minimum of 2 hours for the presentation. The 2 hours is necessary in order to address the topic(s) you choose in a manner that is beneficial to attendees. We can speak on your choice of the following topics (usually a maximum of 4 for a 2-hour session. Additional topics can be included if we are provided with additional time).

Charities Information Sessions topics we currently offer are as follows:

• Activities Outside Canada;
• Amendments to Name, Fiscal Period End, and Designation;
• Disbursement Quota;
• Financial Statements, Books, and Records;
• Fundraising;
• Gifting and Receipting;
• Gifting to Non-Qualified Donees;
• How Best to Prepare for an Audit;
• Objects and Activities;
• Overview of the Charities Directorate and the Voluntary Sector;
• Registered Charity Information Return Summary (SUM);
• Sanctions;
• Seeking and Maintaining Charitable Registration;
• Tax Planning Schemes;
• Tax Responsibilities;
• The Registered Charity Information Return: Introducing the new T3010B (09); and
• What every registered charity should know about the GST/HST.